The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-01-16

In 1909, Gen. Vally, one of the most OBJ
scure officers of the empire-who was the
son of an Evereux shoemaker and died al
most unknown although Count OF Esterelle
had been left at the head of a few
wretehed troops of infantry, supported by
several guns, in the vicinity of San Gael in
Navarro. And this was the reason why:
A chief of guerileros had long been lay
ing waste all the environs of the hamlet
which the horrible wars Of that country an
initiated by all the means which Provi-
dence has placed in mans hands against
nature-hre, flood and bombardment.
This bandit, who, like so many others, re-
fused to recognize the supremacy of the
emperor's tranquil brother Joseph, was
known by the name of Corchuelo. with
some two hundred determined fellows like
himself, and with the most solid Of iron
tempered constitutions like his own, Corchu-
elo had formed little army, which kept
growing larger and larger every day like an
avalanche-gathering up along all the
Navaresse mountain roads all sorts OF
tranps and starvelings, until this force had
become really dangerous, and strong
enough to menace the whole northern part
of the country And furthermore, Ell En-
pecinaalo occupied the southern portion of
Navarro, so that il was essential at any cost
to prevent the union and amalgamation OF
the two bands. Accordingly, while Gen.
Hugo was looking after FL Empecinado,
Gen. Vally was charged with the duty of
discriminating the army of Corchuelo.
And he succeeded.
Nevertheless, Corchuelo alone had sur
vived the disaster of his followers. A cor
poral who had observed him in the act of
escaping, clinging to the side of a very slip
perry rock, had tried to pursue him, but
had soon lost sight of him. So that the Joy
Of the generals band was dampened; the
vague shadow of the bandit passed over it
like a cloud.
He could not have got very far away, the
corporal said; for he had been badly
wounded; and the brave fellow also de-
clared that he had given him a load of lead
in the back to carry away with him.
What could be dones The French force
returned To San Gael The general posted
up a hasty notice-promising 900 francs
reward to whomsoever should bring him
the head OF Corchuelo.
month had passed. The mountain had
become tranquil again; and the few shep
herds OF the locality had brought back their
meager goats to Craze upon the scanty
tufts of short grass.
One of these shepherds, known as Juanllo
"a handsome lad with fine complexion
and bright eyes, who used TO 60 to San
Gael every evening to sell the milk OF his
goa,s-wss vending his way home one
night turning from time to time to look
down upon the little town that lay pref
lilly at the foot of the mountain. Juanillo
lived in a rocky hollow far up among the
heights-a light fence in front of his dwell
ing served as the Enclosure Of the grazers
fold.
The place was picturesque, but gloomy
"a sort of natural ampitheater surrounded
by gray rocks, which at one extremity
touched each other above an open space,
so as to leave visible a bit of sky which
served for horizon. For any except n
goatherd and his goats the place was almost
inaccessible. But Juanillo climbed up along
the verge of the ravines, whistling a mel
ancholy air as he proceeded, and contin-
ually looking back at the city. On reach
ing the entrance of the hollow he uttered
three short sharp cries, pausing between
each a moment; then he climbed over the
rocky wall of his home
.'Buenes nochesr' he exclaimed A
man who had been lying in the grass nj the
foot of the fence, arose and responded:
''Buenas nochesin
Judging from his miserable attire he
would have been taken for u peasant, a
torn handkerchief was bound round his
head. He appeared to be about 80 years
OF age; he was tall and gaunt, with melan-
choly features.
Nothing news'' he asked
"Nothing," replied Juanilo The French
are still there. They are hunting for Cor
chuelo; and the general has promised a
great deal OF money to whoever gives him
mp; but the mountain is sure and friends
are true-if Corchuelo is still alive he will
not be betrayed by either of them; il he
be dead, may God take his souly'
Juanillo uncovered his head as he uttered
these words and then added:
Death is a refuge"
YES" answered the man; IL have been
thinking about it"
Why asked the young shepherd i'm
his simple way. Are you not safe here's
Rest assured that though 1 am young, 1
have learned not to talk too much.
never much asked you your name
when welcomed you here, almost dead, and
dressed your wounds. Stay here just rs
long as you wish; Wen always have milk
and bread, fruit and fresh water enough.
As for shelter it is not l who offer it; il Is
He that made the mountain"
You are a good lad responded the
stranger. Tell me: Corchuelo and his
comrades had their wives and children with
them; did the cursed French kill them all.
do you know whether any of them es-
caped.''
mot a single one-they are all dead.
And the generals soldiers sang in San Gael
that evening so terribly that they fright
ened all the people. They say Corchuelo's
wife and child were there; if he is still alive
himself, pity him.
Yes" answered the mysterious indi-
vidual," there is nothing in the world for
him now"
when a man loves a woman, and she
ties. IL must be like tearing his heart out"
''You think so, You seem to know
something about it,''
Yes, l am in love with a girl of San
Gael-enough To die for her"
why don't you marry hertz
''Ah there's the trouble. She's old Fer
raguzza's daughter-old Ferraguzza, you
know, who keeps the old iron shop near the
Zadowa bridge. The old man loves money
and he told me could have his daughter
II brought him twenty OF those gold
pieces the French call Napoleons.'
so he wants TO sell her to YOU
''He says that will serve for her dowry;